Protecting Older Australians - COVID-19 Update 2 July 2021

Published 8th July 2021

QLD Health - visitor restrictions to RACFs to remain in place

The Queensland Government advise that the three-day lockdown will end this evening for Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Redlands, Gold Coast, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Townsville and Palm Island. Lockdown will continue until 6:00pm Saturday 3 July 2021 for the Brisbane City Council and the Moreton Bay regions, with any new case numbers to be revised overnight.

Please note that visitor restrictions for residential aged care in South East Queensland, Townsville and Palm Island will continue for the next two weeks.

The following Local Government Areas remain declared as Restricted Areas for the purposes of the Residential Aged Care Direction:

• City of Brisbane
• City of Ipswich
• Logan City
• Moreton Bay Region
• Redland City
• Sunshine Coast
• Gold Coast City
• Noosa Shire
• Somerset Region
• Lockyer Valley Region
• Scenic Rim Region
• City of Townsville
• Palm Island Aboriginal Shire

This means general visitors are not permitted, residents may only leave in certain circumstances, and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in line with the Moderate Risk guidance.

Further information on restrictions for aged care can be found here.

NT Health - visitor restrictions to RACFs to remain in place

The Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner has ended the lockdowns in Greater Darwin and Alice Springs but several restrictions, including the visitor restrictions to residential aged care facilities, will remain in place until further advised.

The current Direction includes:

• No visitors are permitted to enter aged care facilities, unless attending for end of life support. Persons who are permitted to enter are:Masks must be worn by workers on the premises and by residents who are outside of their room unless the resident has a medical reason not to wear a mask.

  • Workers
  • Persons providing goods or services necessary for the operation of the facility
  • Persons providing health, medical or pharmaceutical goods or services to a resident, including vaccinations
  • Persons required for emergency management or law enforcement
  • A legal practitioner providing legal services to a resident regarding end of life matters if the services cannot be provided remotely.

• Residents and workers are subject to testing as required by the CHO.

If you have symptoms regardless of where you are living, you are urged to get tested and stay isolated until you receive a negative result.
This information can change rapidly so please check the NT Health website regularly for updates.

A 24-hour hotline has been established by NT Health to provide information about the lockdown arrangements, call 1800 193 111.

Source:
Unknown Author, 2021, Department of Health (https://www.health.gov.au/)